Community Innovation Fund

The 2023 application cycle is now open!

Do you have an idea for reducing waste in your neighborhood, workplace, school, your favorite park or restaurant, or other community space, but aren’t sure how to get started? Apply for the Rethink Waste Community Innovation Fund!

The Environmental Center’s Rethink Waste Project will provide a total of $40,000* awards to individuals, businesses, or community organizations to implement waste reduction or recovery projects throughout Deschutes County. Each project will be awarded up to $5,000. There is no minimum project budget/award amount. 20% of the project funds must come from matching funds (cash or in-kind). Depending on project budget requirements, 8 to 12 projects will be funded in 2023.

*$15,000 of the $40,000 total projects budget will be awarded to projects that take place at or largely impact visitor destinations, such as a visitor lodging property, restaurant / eatery, park / trail/ nature area, outfitter / activity company, museum / gallery, entertainment venue.

Attend an info session to learn more about the application process. Find out more and register here:

Application Details

View Projects

Students and adults at an event in a school cafeteria

Reusables for Bend-La Pine Schools’ Events

Bend-La Pine Schools will use the Community Innovation Fund to have reusable dishware kits in...
A variety of compost and food waste bins

Soul, Community, Planet, Compost

SCP (Soul, Community, Planet) Hotel in Redmond was able to use the Community Innovation Fund...
A small wooden hut painted with a landscape mural

Desert Sky Montessori’s Recycling Hut

Desert Sky Montessori used the Community Innovation Fund in 2021 to build and develop a...

Check out what Central Oregon Community College accomplished through the Community Innovation Fund in 2019-2020!

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Thank You to Our Partners, Who Make the CIF Possible